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The massive slash from Akira's sword cleaved through the oncoming tsunami, halving it and carving a rift in the sea that stretched beyond the Water Seven City.
The once-terrifying waves were now tamed, diverted to either side in a stunning display of power. Everyone watching was left dumbfounded, jaws hanging open, witnessing an impossible feat with wide-eyed awe.
The crowd was frozen, eyes wide as they looked at Akira in disbelief.
Iceburg, who had doubted Akira before, now felt humbled. His past doubts seemed ridiculous. He realized Akira's claim of handling the mission alone wasn't arrogance; it was pure capability.
This young man was no ordinary swordsman, and suddenly, Iceburg felt he might need to reassess the terms of their contract.
However from afar, Hancock wasn't surprised. She knew Akira's strength well, having witnessed his power firsthand. Watching him effortlessly split a tsunami only deepened her admiration, her heart racing with excitement at the sight of his calm confidence.
Zoro, meanwhile, was overcome with both admiration and envy. The power Akira wielded was reminiscent of Mihawk's—the world's greatest swordsman and Zoro's ultimate goal.
"You… who are you?"
Akira responded coolly, "I am Uchiha Akira, president of Uchiha Security Company. That's all." In this world, he was still an unknown. But he didn't care for fame or titles here; he would carve his own legacy in time.
Driven by his own ambitions, Zoro called out with a loud voice, "I want to challenge you! Fight me!"
The foremen who heard Zoro froze, shock coloring their faces. They watched Akira, a man who could split seas, and felt that challenging him was a fool's errand. But Zoro wouldn't be swayed; this was about more than survival—it was about his dream.
"Why?" asked Akira with a calm glance.
"Because it's my dream… and my promise to one person. If I don't challenge a swordsman like you, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
"Forget it. You're too weak," Akira replied. "Come back when you've trained for a few more years."
"I'm coming!" Zoro ignored the warning, biting his sword and charging at Akira without hesitation.
Akira's Sharingan flared briefly as he cast a glance at Zoro.
Bang!
With a glance from Akira's Sharingan, Zoro's body stiffened as if shackled. He knelt involuntarily, gasping as a chilling sensation overwhelmed him, a vision so vivid that he felt as if he'd already lost the battle and had been cleanly cut down. The illusion dissipated, and he was left breathing heavily, sweat running down his face.
"Zoro!" "Zoro what's wrong with you?!!" Luffy and Nami rushed over in concern.
"I...I'm still alive?!"
"what are you talking about?"
Luffy was confused by Zoro's words, "Why are you still alive? When did you die?"
Zoro regained his composure, piecing together that Akira's eyes were no ordinary eyes. Despite being an illusion, the dread had felt real, the reminder that his skills still fell short. His respect for Akira deepened, and he felt a sudden resolve: he had much more training ahead.
Akira thought to himself, "It seems the Sharingan's illusions work well on those who haven't awakened their Conqueror's Haki yet."
Akira then looked at Zoro and spoke with a calm yet firm tone. "Fearlessness is an admirable trait, Zoro, but strength comes from understanding fear. Recklessly charging at opponents isn't courage; it's throwing your life away. Take the time to grow stronger, and face your foes when the odds are in your favor. Remember, in any world, weakness is the original sin."
Returning to the train, Akira left Zoro to reflect on his words. Nami looked at him, captivated by his strength and wisdom. She understood those words deeply, recalling her own struggles with weakness since childhood.
"Is weakness really the original sin…" she murmured.
Granny Kokoro chuckled, taking a long sip of her drink. "Quite the philosophy, young man!" she cackled.
Akira smiled modestly. "Just simple truths, really."
Then Granny Kokoro grinned and called out, "Hold on tight! We're picking up speed!"
"Too fast!" they shouted in panic.
"Quack, quack! This isn't acceleration, dearie! It's losing control!"
As the train accelerated, everyone clung tightly to avoid being tossed overboard. The thrill and danger heightened, but they held on, determined to face whatever lay ahead on this wild journey to Enies Lobby.
...